We had a wonderful day on Thursday, taking the short coach ride down to Botany Bay to explore our local river habitats and learn more about wildlife and river conservation. The children got to explore real hands on science with pond dipping, turbidity testing and classifying fish and invertebrates from a kick sample.

The site is an amazing haven for wildlife and a fascinating example of all 3 different stages of a river. We were lucky to have Cathy from the Western Sussex Rivers Trust-Downs to the Sea Project who led us on a wildlife walk exploring the nature and showing the different conservation efforts that are happening there.

We saw so many different creatures such as butterflies, bugs, ducks, pheasants, frogs, bugs and even brown trout in the sparkling clear water. There was plenty of evidence of other animals too like deer, rabbits, badgers, dormice and mink.

The children also had the chance for a moment of calm to sketch the natural beauty around them

The children had a brilliant time and it was so special to see the awe and wonder on their faces as well as hear the curious questions they had. Hopefully we now have 29 more young river ambassadors! A huge thank you to Anne of the Botany Bay Community Interest Group and Cathy from Western Sussex Rivers trust for making it possible.